Medicine supply apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a medicine supply apparatus which can improve the efficiency of a dispensing operation. The medicine supply apparatus comprises a plurality of tablet cases  3  stored in a main body case storage part, each tablet case including a container  51  for containing medicines, and a discharge drum  53  for discharging the medicines one by one from the container  51 , and the container  51  is provided with a residual amount sensor  58  for detecting that the residual amount of medicines in the container  51  is lowered to indicate a predetermined value.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a medicine supply apparatus whichsupplies medicine contained in a tablet case to a container (phial,bag), and the like by the quantity designated by a prescription in ahospital, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

In hospitals or pharmacies, for example, as described in JapaneseUtility Model Publication No. 5282/1982 (B65B1/30), a medicine supplyapparatus (referred to as a tablet packing machine in the publication)has been heretofore used to dispense the medicine prescribed by a doctorto a patient. In such system the quantity described in the prescriptionof the medicines (tablets, capsules, and the like) is discharged from adischarge drum (referred to as an alignment board in the above-describedpublication) in the tablet case one by one, subsequently collected by ahopper and packed.

Moreover, for example in Japanese Utility Model Publication No.40881/1987 the tablet case (tablet container) is provided with a tabletdetecting sensor for detecting discharged tablets and a display, and atrouble is displayed on the display based on the sensor detectingoperation when no tablet is discharged from an empty tablet case, orwhen the tablets get stuck.

However, when the tablet case is emptied and then the trouble isdisplayed as described above, in the actual operation after the start ofa tablet supply operation the tablet shortage is detected, so that themedicine dispensing operation is once discontinued to refill the tabletcase with the tablets, and subsequently resumed.

Therefore, there is a problem that the tablet supply operation propertyis lowered, and the dispensing operation efficiency is remarkablydeteriorated.

The present invention has been developed to solve such conventionaltechnical problem, and an object thereof is to provide a medicine supplyapparatus which can improve the dispensing operation efficiency.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a medicine supplyapparatus comprising: a plurality of tablet cases stored in a main bodycase storage part, each tablet case including a container for containingmedicines, and a discharge drum for discharging the medicines one by onefrom the container, and the container is provided with a residual amountsensor for detecting that the residual amount of medicines in thecontainer is lowered to indicate a predetermined value.

Moreover, according to the present invention, the above-describedmedicine supply apparatus is provided with alarm means for performing apredetermined alarm when the residual amount sensor detects that theresidual amount of medicines in the container is lowered to indicate thepredetermined value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the medicine supply apparatus of thepresent invention when one door unit is open,

FIG. 2 is a partially perspective side view of the medicine supplyapparatus when the other door unit is open,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of themedicine supply apparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal side view of the medicine supplyapparatus showing a shelf part,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tablet case,

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet case,

FIG. 7 is a front view of a door-side case storage part which storesonly a large-capacity tablet case,

FIG. 8 is a front view of a main body side case storage part whichstores only a small-capacity tablet case,

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the storage modes of the large-capacitytablet case and small-capacity tablet case to the respective casestorage parts of the medicine supply apparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the number and size proportion of thetablet cases in the respective storage modes of FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relation between the number of medicinetypes and the ratio with which the actual operation can be covered,

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relation between the number of medicinetypes and the capacity of a tablet case,

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit of the medicinesupply apparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing another tablet case recognizingoperation of a controller,

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing the backward/forward rotatingoperation of a motor by a controller during medicine sticking, and

FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing a conventional control operationduring the medicine sticking.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter indetail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of amedicine supply apparatus 1 of the present invention when one door unit2 is open, FIG. 2 is a partially perspective side view of the medicinesupply apparatus 1 when the other door unit 2 is open, FIG. 3 is aperspective view showing the internal structure of the medicine supplyapparatus 1 of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinalside view of the medicine supply apparatus 1 showing a shelf part 26,FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tablet case 3, and FIG. 6 is anexploded perspective view of the tablet case 3 with a large capacity(L).

The medicine supply apparatus 1 of the present invention is installed ina hospital, a pharmacy, and the like, and is constituted of: a main body7 having a laterally long rectangular shape; a main body side casestorage part 8 vertically mounted on the back part of a top surface 7Aof the main body 7; door units 2, 2 which openably close the front faceopening of the main body side case storage part 8 and are movable in adouble swinging system; an extension unit 9 attachable/detachable to theback face of the main body 7 and optionally attached as occasiondemands; and the like.

A hopper 11 extended/opened upward is disposed in the upper part of themain body 7, and a shutter 12 is attached to the lower end of the hopper11. Moreover, a packing machine 13 is disposed below the hopper 11 inthe main body 7, and the medicine discharged from the hopper 11 ispacked in obliquely disposed rolled packing paper (not shown) anddischarged from a taking port 14.

On the other hand, the main body side case storage part 8 has an openingin its front face, and at least left and right side faces are closed bytransparent walls 16 of glass, resin, or the like. Moreover, a main bodyside chute 22 is vertically defined over the entire width between apartition plate 21 and a back plate 20 at the back of the main body sidecase storage part 8.

In the both side lower parts of this main body side chute 22, inclinedbottom faces 23, 23 (FIG. 8) are formed to be narrowed and inclinedtoward both sides of the upper edge of the hopper 11 from the left andright ends of the main body side case storage part 8. There is anopening to the upper part of the hopper 11 between the bottom faces 23,23, and a shutter 24 is attached to the top surface 7A of the main body7 in a position opposite to the opening.

Moreover, a plurality of shelves 26 are extended on the above-describedpartition plate 21, and tablet cases are attached to the shelves 26 asdescribed later. In the inner side part of the respective shelves 26, aplurality of paths 30 each having an opening 18 in its top surface areformed to extend from left to right at predetermined intervals. Thispath 30 is inclined to be low toward the inside and connected to themain body side chute 22, and a connector 17 is disposed on the partitionplate 21 positioned inside each opening 18.

A large-capacity (L) tablet case 3, and a small-capacity (S) tablet case4 are prepared as the tablet case, the capacity of the tablet case 3 isset to 500 cc in the embodiment, and the capacity of the tablet case 4is set to 250 cc. Moreover, since the structure of the tablet case 3 isdifferent from that of the tablet case 4 only in the vertical dimensionof a container 51 described later (the tablet case 4 is small), thetablet case 3 will be described hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tablet case 3 is constituted of acontainer 51 formed of transparent hard synthetic resin, and a drivetable 52. The container 51 has an opening in its top surface, and themedicine is supplied via this opening. Moreover, a discharge drum 53 isrotatably attached to a position which deviates to the inner side in thelower part of the container 51. The top surface of the discharge drum 53is formed in a conical surface whose middle is raised, and a pluralityof vertical grooves (not shown) are further formed in the side face. Themedicines entering the grooves are discharged one by one with therotation of the discharge drum 53. An engagement hole 56 for engagingwith a drive shaft 57 as described later is formed in the middle of thebottom face of the discharge drum 53.

Additionally, numeral 54 denotes a brush for vertically partitioning thegroove to discharge the medicines one by one. Moreover, a side face 51Aon the front side of the container 51 is inclined so that the inner sideis lowered toward the discharge drum 53. Moreover, a side face 51B onthe inner side of the container 51 is slightly inclined so that thelower side is directed inwardly along the path 30. Moreover, a residualamount sensor 58 constituted of a reflective infrared ray photo sensoris attached to the lower part of the side face 51B. Additionally, theresidual amount sensor 58 is attached to two types of cassettesconstituted for the tablet case 3 and tablet case 4, and positioned at apredetermined height from the top surface of the discharge drum 53 bydetachably attaching the cassette to the container 51.

On the other hand, on the drive table 52, a motor 61 positioned on thefront side, a reduction gear box 62 for decelerating the rotation of themotor 61, the drive shaft 57 positioned on the inner side, atransmitting gear (transmission mechanism) 63 disposed between thereduction gear box 62 and the drive shaft 57, a substrate 64, a medicinedetection sensor 66 constituted of a photo sensor, and the like areattached.

The substrate 64 is provided with a display (LED) 67, a memory 68, andthe like as described later, and vertically mounted on the forefrontside of the drive table 52. Moreover, a rectangular discharge port 69 isvertically formed through the inner part of the drive table 52, and themedicine detection sensor 66 is attached to the periphery of thedischarge port 69 to detect the medicine passed through the dischargeport 69. Moreover, a connector 71 is formed on the inner side face ofthe drive table 52, and connected to the motor 61 and substrate 64.

Moreover, the container 51 is detachably attached to the drive table 52from above. Additionally, both are 25 bonded to each other by screws, orby disengageable engagement. In this case, the drive shaft 57 enters toengage in the engagement hole 56 of the discharge drum 53, and thedischarge port 69 is disposed opposite to the groove lower side of thedischarge drum 53. Moreover, the residual amount sensor 58 is connectedto the connector 71 and substrate 64, and the motor 61 is positionedbelow the side face 51A of the container 51. Thereby, a dead space belowthe inclined side face 51A is utilized to dispose the motor 61, thecapacity of the container 51 is secured, and the entire dimension of thetablet case 3 is reduced.

Moreover, by disposing the motor 61, and the like on the side of thetablet case 3, the shelf 26 of the main body side case storage part 8can be thinned, so that the simplification of the structure on the casestorage part side and the increase of the number of the tablet cases 3(or 4) to be stored are realized. Furthermore, since the container 51and drive table 52 are constituted as separate bodies, andattachable/detachable to each other, in case of the failure of the drivetable 52, the table can be repaired in a detached state from thecontainer 51. Moreover, when exchange is necessary, the drive table 52and container 51 can separately be exchanged, so that the maintenanceproperty is improved, and the cost during the exchange can be reduced.

Moreover, such tablet cases 3, 4 are arranged on the shelves 26. In thiscase, as shown in FIG. 4 the substrate 64 of the tablet case 3 (or 4) isdisposed on the front side, the discharge port 69 is disposed on theinner side, the tablet case is inserted into the shelf 26 from the frontside as shown by an arrow, and the connector 71 is detachablyinserted/connected into the connector 17 on the side of the main body 7.Thereby, the drive table 52 is connected to the electric circuit on theside of the main body 7.

Moreover, the discharge port 69 is disposed opposite to the opening ofthe path 30, so that the medicines discharged one by one from thedischarge drum 53 enter the path 30 from the opening 18 via thedischarge port 69, and are passed through the path and dropped to themain body side chute 22. Furthermore, since the discharge drum 53 isdisplaced to the lower side and inner side of the container 51, with thetablet case 3 attached as shown in FIG. 4, the discharge port 69 ispositioned on the side of the main body side chute 22. Therefore, thepath 30 between the main body side chute 22 and the discharge port 69can be shortened, so that the capacity efficiency by the reduction of anineffective capacity can be improved, and the time necessary formedicine discharge can be shortened.

On the other hand, door side case storage parts 33 are formed in thedoor units 2, 2, respectively. The respective door side case storageparts 33, 33 have openings in front faces, and the front face openingsare openably closed by transparent doors 34. Moreover, the left/rightside face is covered with a steel plate, and the like. On the left/rightside face a plurality of shelves 26 structured similarly as describedabove are vertically extended at predetermined intervals.

Moreover, door side chutes 37 are vertically defined over the entirewidth of the respective door units 2, 2 between a front side partitionplate 36 and a back plate 35 at the back of the door side case storageparts 33, 33. Bottom faces 38, 38 are formed on the lower parts of therespective door side chutes 37, 37 so that the faces are narrowed andinclined toward both sides of the upper edge of the hopper 11.Furthermore, while the respective door units 2, 2 close the front faceopenings of the main body side case storage part 8, an opening isdisposed above the hopper 11 via the through hole of the top surface 7Abetween both bottom faces 38, 38, and a shutter 39 is attached to thetop surface 7A in a position opposite to the opening.

The partition plate 36 of each of the door side case storage parts 33,33 is provided with the structure similar to the above-describedstructure (opening 18, path 30, connector 17), and a plurality of tabletcases 3 (or 4) are attached to the shelves 26 in a similar manner.Additionally, the path 30 of the door side case storage part 33 isconnected to the door side chute 37.

Moreover, the top surface 7A of the main body 7 positioned on the frontside while. the door units 2, 2 are closed is provided with anadditional medicine feeder 46 for arbitrarily supplying additionalmedicines, and a path 47 extends to the hopper 11 from the feeder 46.Additionally, numeral 45 denotes the cover of the feeder 46. Moreover,numeral 50 denotes a cover for closing the through hole (for connectingthe door side chute 37 to the hopper 11) of the top surface 7A when thedoor units 2, 2 5 are opened.

On the other hand, the extension unit 9 is attached to the back face ofthe main body 2, for example, in accordance with the scale enlargementof the hospital, and the like to add the tablet cases 3, 4, and itsupper part is provided with an extension side case storage part 41. Theleft/right side face of the extension side case storage part 41 is alsoclosed by the transparent wall of glass or resin, and the similarshelves 26 are extended in the extension side case storage part 41.

Moreover, an extension side chute 42 is vertically defined over theentire width between a front plate 55 and a partition plate 60 in thefront part of the extension side case storage part 41. Also on the bothside lower parts of the extension side chute 42, bottom faces are formedto be narrowed and inclined toward both sides of the upper edge of thehopper 11 from the left and right ends of the extension side casestorage part 41. Furthermore, while the extension unit 9 is attached tothe main body 2, the opening between both bottom faces is associatedwith a through hole formed in the back face of the main body 2positioned on the upper end back part of the hopper 11, the extensionside chute 42 is therefore connected to the hopper 11, and a shutter 43having a structure similar to the above-described structure is attachedto the opening.

Furthermore, the partition plate 60 of the extension side case storagepart 41 is provided with a structure similar to the above-describedstructure (opening 18, path 30, connector 17), and a plurality of tabletcases 3 (or 4) are also attached to the shelves 26 in a similar manner.Additionally, the path 30 of the extension side case storage part 41 isconnected to the extension side chute 42. Moreover, the extension unit 9attached to the main body 2 is electrically connected to the main bodyside.

Additionally, the extension unit 9 is rotatably supported on the mainbody 7 via a hinge 72, further the front plate 55, back plates 20, 35can freely be opened/closed, and the maintenance property is enhanced.Furthermore, the hopper 11 and packing machine 13 can freely be drawnfrom the main body 7 (FIG. 3).

Here, it is inspected with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12 whether either oflarge and small tablet cases 3, 4 is stored in the respective casestorage parts 8, 33, 33, 41. Additionally, FIG. 11 is a graph showingthe operation which can be covered by medicine types (substantiallycorresponding to the number of tablet cases), and as apparent from thisdrawing 80% of the medicine supply operation can be handled if 150 typesof medicines can be contained.

Moreover, FIG. 12 shows the relation between the medicine types and thetablet case capacity, and it can be seen that most of the medicines canbe handled with 250 cc, and that when the capacity is 500 cc, by usingtwo tablet cases, a necessary medicine of 1000 cc can also be handled.Therefore, as described above the capacity of the tablet case 3 is setto 500 cc in the embodiment, and the capacity of the tablet case 4 isset to 250 cc.

Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show the total capacity when the tablet cases 3, 4are stored in the respective case storage parts 8, 33, 33, 41.Additionally, the door side case storage parts 33 can store 70 tabletcases 3 (FIG. 7), and 90 tablet cases 4, and the main body side casestorage part 8 and the extension side case storage part 41 can store 140tablet cases 3 (70×2), and 180 tablet cases 4 (90×2), respectively.Additionally, FIG. 8 shows the left half of the main body side casestorage part 8, and corresponds to one door side case storage part 33.

In each drawing (1) shows that all the case storage parts 8, 33, 33, 41store only small-capacity (S) tablet cases 4, and (2) shows that thedoor side case storage parts 33 store only the large-capacity (L) tabletcases 3 and the main body side case storage part 8 and extension sidecase storage part 41 store only the small-capacity (S) tablet cases 4.Moreover, (3) shows that the door side case storage parts 33, 33 andextension side case storage part 41 store only the large-capacity (L)tablet cases 3, and the main body side case storage part 8 stores onlythe small-capacity (S) tablet cases 4, and (4) shows that all the casestorage parts 8, 33, 33, 41 store only the large-capacity (L) tabletcases 3.

In the above-described case (1) 540 (360 if there is no extension unit9) tablet cases 4 can be stored, and in the case of (2) 500 (320 ifthere is no extension unit 9) tablet cases 3, 4 can be stored. Moreover,in the case of (3) 460 (320 if there is no extension unit 9) tabletcases 3, 4 can be stored, and in the case of (4) 420 (280 if there is noextension unit 9) tablet cases 3 can be stored.

Moreover, the medicine to be used by a relatively large amount iscontained in the large-capacity tablet case 3, but when the case isstored in the main body side case storage part 8 or the extension sidecase storage part 41, during refilling with the medicine, the door units2, 2 has to be frequently opened, or the extension unit 9 have to beopened, so that the operation becomes remarkably intricate.

Moreover, when one case storage part stores the large-capacity tabletcase 3 and small-capacity tablet case 4 in a mixed manner, the intervalsof the shelves 26 need to be adjusted in accordance with thelarge-capacity tablet case 3, a gap is made above the small-capacitytablet case 4, and the capacity efficiency is deteriorated.

In consideration of these, it can be seen that the mode (2) (the doorside case storage parts 33, 33 store only the large-capacity tabletcases 3, and the main body side case storage part 8 and extension sidecase storage part 41 store only the small-capacity tablet cases 4) ispreferable for a so-called general hospital in which there are manymedicine types to be handled, and the mode (4) (all the case storageparts 8, 33, 33, 41 store only the large-capacity tablet cases 3) ispreferable for a single-department hospital in which there are lessmedicine types to be handled.

Next, FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit of themedicine supply apparatus 1. Additionally, the packing machine or theshutter is omitted in this case. In the drawing, numeral 76 denotes acontroller mounted on the main body 7, which is constituted of ageneral-purpose microcomputer. The controller 76 is connected to themotor 31 of the respective tablet cases 3, 4 via a control circuit 77.Numeral 78 denotes an excess current detection circuit for detecting thecurrent supplied to the motor 31 via the control circuit 77, and itsoutput is inputted to the controller 76.

The medicine detection sensor 66 of the tablet cases 3, 4 is connectedto the controller 76 via a detection circuit 79. Moreover, numeral 81 isa circuit for detecting dirt on the medicine detection sensor 66. Theresidual amount sensor 58 of the tablet cases 3, 4 is also connected tothe controller 76 via a detection circuit 82, and the display 67 isconnected to the controller 76 via a display circuit 83. Moreover, thedetection circuit 82 is also connected to the display circuit 83.

Furthermore, the memory 68 of the tablet cases 3, 4 which is constitutedof a nonvolatile ROM is also connected to the controller 76. In thismemory 68 the identification data of the tablet cases 3, 4, medicinecode concerning the medicine types contained in the container 51,handled medicine numbers, and other ID information are writtenbeforehand. Moreover, the controller 76 is connected to an externalpersonal computer 84 via an RS-232C cable, and the like to perform thetransmission/reception of data with this personal computer 84.

The use method and operation of the medicine supply apparatus 1 of thepresent invention in the above-described constitution will be described.Additionally, it is assumed that the respective shutters 12, 24, 39, 43are closed when the power is turned on. Moreover, when the main bodyside case storage part 8, door side case storage parts 33, 33 of therespective door units 2, 2, and extension unit 9 are attached, thetablet cases 3, 4 containing the predetermined medicines are attached tothe extension side case storage part 41 as described above.

Subsequently when the power of the medicine supply apparatus 1 is turnedon, the controller 76 first scans the ID information of the storedtablet cases 3, 4 in the memory, and identifies and grasps therespective tablet cases 3, 4, the contained medicine types, and the liketo constitute a database. This database is also outputted to thepersonal computer 84, and the personal computer 84 can also generate thedatabase.

In this manner, the ID information on the tablet cases 3, 4 are writtenbeforehand into the memory 68 of the tablet cases 3, 4, and thecontroller 76 identifies and grasps the information, so that even whenthe tablet cases 3, 4 are stored in any position of the case storagepart, the medicine supply control can subsequently be realized withoutany incorrectness, and a so-called plug-in can be attained.

Additionally, instead of the above-described constitution, as shown inFIG. 14, the positions (shown by #1 to #8. in FIG. 14) in the casestorage part for storing the tablet cases 3, 4 are predetermined, theaddress data concerning the positions (shown by #1 to #8 in FIG. 14) inthe case storage part to store the tablet cases 3, 4 is written to thememory 68, and the data for identifying the respective positions #1 to#8. may be set on the controller 76.

In this case, when the controller 76 scans as described above, theaddress data of the respective tablet cases 3, 4 is compared with actualstorage positions, and in the case of incorrectness the display circuit83 performs an alarm display (alarm) on the display 67 of the tabletcases 3, 4. Such constitution can also avoid incorrect medicine supplybeforehand.

After the initial setting operation ends, the dispensing operationstarts. Specifically, when an operator inputs prescription data via thepersonal computer 84 based on doctor's prescription, the controller 76of the medicine supply apparatus 1 rotates forward the motor 61 of thetablet case 3 or 4 in which the medicines designated based on theprescription data are contained by the control circuit 77, and rotates(forward) the discharge drum 53 to discharge the medicines in the grooveto the path 30 one by one.

In this case, the controller 76 receives a medicine detection signalfrom the medicine detection sensor 66 via the detection circuit 79, andcounts the discharged medicines. Subsequently, the motor 61 is stoppedwhen the predetermined amount is discharged. The discharged medicinesenter the respective chutes 22, 37, 42, and are collected on thelowermost shutters 24, 39, 43.

Subsequently, the controller 76 opens the shutters 24, 39, 43, drops themedicines into the hopper 11, and collects the medicines on the shutter12. Since the shutter 12 is structured to be inserted into a packingbag, the controller 76 then opens the shutter 12 to project themedicines into packing paper, and the medicines are packed by thepacking machine 13 and subsequently fed to the outside via the takingport 14. In this case, when the medicines to be packed are present inthe respective case storage parts 8, 33, 33, 41, the medicines aresimultaneously discharged from the tablet cases 3, 4 of the respectivecase storage parts 8, 33, 33, 41, and packed simultaneously or when theshutters of the tablet case storage parts with the medicines dischargedtherefrom are opened. This can reduce the time required for the packing.

When the medicines are held and stuck between the discharge port 69 andthe discharge drum 53 during the dispensing operation, the motor 61 islocked, and an excess lock current flows. The controller 76 detects thelock state from the current supplied to the motor 61 by the excesscurrent detection circuit 78. Subsequently, as shown in a timing chartof FIG. 15, at the time the lock state occurs the control circuit 77rotates backward the motor 61 for a short period to rotate backward thedischarge drum 53. Subsequently, the motor 61 is similarly rotatedforward for a short period to rotate forward the discharge drum 53.

By repeating the backward/forward rotating operation several times, thestuck medicines drop (lock cancellation), the medicine detection sensor66 generates (on) the medicine detection signal, and the controller 76then returns the motor 61 to normal control (forward rotation) again.Additionally, in a conventional art as shown in FIG. 16, the dispensingoperation stops five seconds after the occurrence of the lock state togenerate the alarm, but by performing the short backward/forwardrotation as described above, the sticking of the medicines canautomatically be canceled to successively continue (on) the dispensingoperation.

Additionally, when the medicine detection sensor 66 emits no medicinedetection signal even after repeating the backward/forward rotationpredetermined times, the controller 76 stops the dispensing operation,and the display 67 performs an alarm display (alarm) as described above.

Here, when by the dispensing operation the medicines in the containers 1of the tablet cases 3, 4 decrease, and the residual amount lowers belowthe position where the residual amount sensor 58 is attached, the outputof the residual amount sensor 58 indicates H (L when the medicines arepresent). When the output of the residual amount sensor 58 indicates H,the detection circuit 82 sends the information to the controller 76 andto the display circuit 83, and the display circuit 83 displays thedecrease of the residual amount, that is, performs the alarm display onthe display 67.

Additionally, the controller 76 may instruct the display circuit 83 toperform this display. Thereby, the operator grasps the decrease of theresidual amount before the medicines are used up, and can perform therefilling operation with the medicines while supplying other medicines.Therefore, as compared with the conventional system in which thedispensing operation is stopped after using up the medicines to performthe refilling, the dispensing operation efficiency is remarkablyenhanced.

Here, the controller 76 detects the residual amount (emits light) by theresidual amount sensor 58, for example, only during the operation of thedischarge drum 53. This can minimize the adverse influence to themedicines by infrared rays emitted by the residual amount sensor 58 ascompared with when light is always emitted.

Possibility of Industrial Utilization

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in themedicine supply apparatus comprising: a plurality of tablet cases storedin a main body case storage part, each tablet case including a containerfor containing medicines, and a discharge drum for discharging themedicines from the container one by one, the container is provided witha residual amount sensor for detecting that the residual amount ofmedicines in the container is lowered to indicate a predetermined value.

Therefore, when the residual amount sensor detects that the medicineresidual amount in the container is lowered to indicate thepredetermined value, by providing alarm means for performing apredetermined alarm, the operator can grasp the residual amount decreasebefore the medicines in the container are used up.

Therefore, before starting the next supply of the medicines, therefilling operation with the medicines can be performed, for example,while performing the supply operation of other medicines, so that thegeneral dispensing operation efficiency can remarkably be improved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medicine supply apparatus comprising: aplurality of tablet cases stored in a main body case storage part, eachtablet case including a container for containing medicines, and adischarge drum for discharging the medicines one by one from thecontainer; a residual amount sensor for detecting that the residualamount of medicines in the container is below a predetermined value; anda controller for operating said residual amount sensor only duringoperation of said discharge drum of said container.
 2. A medicine supplyapparatus as in claim 1 wherein said residual amount sensor comprises anoptical type sensor in which radiant energy is transmitted to themedicines in the drum.
 3. A medicine supply apparatus comprising: aplurality of tablet cases stored in a main body case storage part, eachtablet case including a container for containing medicines, and adischarge drum for discharging the medicines one by one from thecontainer; a residual amount sensor for detecting that the residualamount of medicines in the container is below a predetermined value; acontroller for operating said residual amount sensor only duringoperation of said discharge drum of said container; and alarm means forperforming a predetermined alarm when the residual amount sensor detectsthat the medicine residual amount in said container is below thepredetermined value.
 4. A medicine supply apparatus as in claim 3wherein said residual amount sensor comprises an optical type sensor inwhich radiant energy is transmitted to the medicines in the drum.
 5. Amedicine supply apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said alarm is one of anaudible or visual type.
 6. A medicine supply apparatus as in claim 4wherein said alarm is one of an audible or visual type.